Abstract: A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal outer diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing at least a portion of the core. In some embodiments, the plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. In some embodiments, the core member has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first plastic jacket is disposed about the proximal portion and a second jacket formed of a fluoroelastomer is disposed about the distal portion.

Abstract: A stent has a tubular body with end regions and a middle region. The tubular body has a plurality of openings in it, the number of openings greater in the middle region than in the end regions. The tubular members also comprise an inner component and an outer component, the outer component disposed about the inner component. The inner component comprises a woven braid.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing at least a portion of the core. In some embodiments, the guidewire also includes a radiopaque coil disposed about a first portion of the core wire. The polymer jacket includes a first portion disposed about the radiopaque coil, and a second portion adjacent the first portion and overlaying and in contact with a second portion of the core wire. In some embodiments, the plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a self-expanding stent in a vessel consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel. The stent surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length by a stent retaining and release means. The stent retaining and release means is either one or more slipping sleeves which either contain the stent themselves or form a waterproof chamber with the stent being contained by water soluble bands or swelling bands. The stent retaining and release means can also be a pair of sleeves connected to hydraulic pistons, or a pair of sleeves connected to push/pull wires.

Abstract: A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size.

Abstract: A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size. These tissue supporting devices are generally cylindrical or tubular. They have at least one component which is deformable, by an external force, to maintain further expansion.

Abstract: A constrained stet has a plurality of stent retaining bands disposed about the stent which maintains the stent in a reduced diameter configuration. The stent is capable of being expanded from a reduced diameter configuration to a fully expanded configuration.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a self-expanding stent in a vessel consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel. The stent surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length by a stent retaining and release means. The stent retaining and release means is either one or more slipping sleeves which either contain the stent themselves or form a waterproof chamber with the stent being contained by water soluble bands or swelling bands. The stent retaining and release means can also be a pair of sleeves connected to hydraulic pistons, or a pair of sleeves connected to push/pull wires.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal outer diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire with a selectively formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion with a hydrophilic coating and a proximal portion without a hydrophilic coating. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire having a formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion that is more radiopaque than a proximal portion.

Abstract: A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size. These tissue supporting devices are generally cylindrical or tubular. They have at least one component which is deformable, by an external force, to maintain further expansion.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal outer diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire with a selectively formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion with a hydrophilic coating and a proximal portion without a hydrophilic coating. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire having a formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion that is more radiopaque than a proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of depositing collagen coatings on a metal surface, namely metal stents, by electrodeposition.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal outer diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire with a selectively formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion with a hydrophilic coating and a proximal portion without a hydrophilic coating. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire having a formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion that is more radiopaque than a proximal portion.

Abstract: Collagen applied to a vascular stent for increasing the biocompatability of the stent on implantation and method of treatment.

Abstract: A stent for reinforcing a vessel wall is disclosed, the stent being expandable and comprised of a shape memory alloy which in the normal implanted condition is in the martensitic phase at body temperature, the stent further having a larger parent or austenitic shape and diameter when heated above its transition temperature.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a self-expanding stent in a vessel is consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel. The stent surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length by a stent retaining and release means. The stent retaining and release means is a single layer sheath retaining sleeve means for retaining the stent in its delivery configuration attached to a slipping sleeve means for releasing the stent to self-expand. A balloon may optionally be used to seat the stent in the vessel after self-expansion. The stent may also optionally be retained by water soluble or swelling bands.

Abstract: Collagen applied to a vascular stem for increasing the biocompatability of the stent on implantation find method of treatment.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a self-expanding stent in a vessel is consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel. The stent surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length by a stent retaining and release means. The stent retaining and release means is either one or more slipping sleeves which either contain the stent themselves or form a waterproof chamber with the stent being contained by water soluble bands or swelling bands. The stent retaining and release means can also be a pair of sleeves connected to hydraulic pistons, or a pair of sleeves connected to push/pull wires.